READ MORE ABOUT:
The Everglades, a subtropical wetlands in Southern Florida, is the heart of Florida's wildest, most natural scenery. Sometimes called the River of Grass because it is filled with saw grass and other wild marshland grasses, it is part of a complex eco-system that many birds and animals depend upon for food and shelter. As agricultural and urban development expands, however, the Everglades are are withering away. As a consequence its waters are becoming polluted. And the animals that call the Everglades their home are threatened, several even in danger of extinction.
A misguided plan to drain the Everglades began in 1947. The intention was to control flooding and divert water to the cities. However, it soon became clear that the landscape was suffering. The marsh was drying up and habitats were destroyed. The area where alligators once lived and nested started to dry up.
Conservation efforts to protect the Everglades began 1970s. Part of the Everglades was declared a national park and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) was proposed. Other local and national legislation followed. In, 2000 the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 was signed into law to help support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Most recently, President Obama pledged $279 million to save and restore the Everglades.
Despite these conservation efforts, the encroachment of urban sprawl and the pesticides and runoff associated with agriculture still threaten the Everglades and its waters. To make matters worse, poaching still occurs on its lands, threatening already endangered animals. One target is the Florida Panther. Called one of the most endangered animals on Earth, there are estimated to be fewer than 100 adult panthers in their natural habitat of Southern Florida.
Threatened and Endangered Species of the Everglades:
- American Alligator
- American Crocodile
- Sea Turtles
- Various Birds
- Florida Panther
- Manatee
Local and national efforts to save the Florida Everglades are ongoing. The CERP continues on in its efforts to promote legislation and provide educational resources to the public.
Also, groups like the World Wildlife Fund concentrate on protecting the plant and animal species threatened by the destruction of their natural habitat. Its Conservation Action Network encourages the public and legislators support legislation in favor of Everglades conservation.
In addition to supporting conservation policy, you can also do hands-on volunteer work to help save the Everglades. Volunteer opportunities are available through the Everglades National Park Service and the University of Florida. Other volunteer opportunities for the Everglades and National Parks are available at Volunteer.gov.
Find out more about the Everglades in Focus Earth: June 13, 2009: Everglades Nevermore and Snake Invaders.
Watch these videos from this episode of Focus Earth:
Everglades Species Fading Away
Read more about endangered species:
Help Protect the American Pika
Get Eco-Real with Planet Action On Planet Green
How to Report Poachers
What You Can Do to Protect Sea Turtles
How to Identify Poachers
Save a Species: Stop Eating Bluefin Tuna (At Least for Awhile)
